SMART Summer Program is Underway in Newburgh

NEWBURGH – Take paper, paint and drawing tools and you have the basis for a series of free, fun art activities during “Art SMART” at the Newburgh Free Library from Mondays – Thursdays, July 17 – August 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Art Smart” incorporates elements from Science, Math and Art and is open to children of all ages and their families. “Art Smart” is offered in conjunction with the “Build A Better World” Summer Reading Programs and takes place in the library lobby. The lobby is also the site for the free Summer Meals program offered by the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, Cornell Cooperative Extension and other agencies.

“Activities at the library will encourage children to build up their creativity while avoiding the ‘summer slide’ in reading skills,” said library director Chuck Thomas.

ArtSMART is designed to provide hands-on art activities to inspire children to think about and respond creatively to art found in some of their favorite books. Part of the Art SMART activities will explore the styles of several notable children’s book illustrators including Faith Ringgold, author of “Tar Beach”, Erza Jack Keats, author of “A Whistle for Willie” and Eric Carle, known for his books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Using drawings and collage techniques, children will create paper “story quilts” to reflect nature and life in their neighborhoods.

From July 17 – 28 artist Judy Thomas will lead the art activities followed by artist Faheem Haider who will be at the library from July 31 – August 11. Thomas was awarded a 2015 Individual Artist Commission grant from Arts Mid-Hudson for her sculptural installation “Matrix Renewal” and has exhibited at various local galleries. Faheem Haider is an artist, writer, art critic, and political analyst. He publishes his work at blackandwhiteandthings.wordpress.com.

“Art SMART” is made possible with (in part) through a grant from Arts Mid-Hudson, with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of the Library.